Fire-Free Areas

These are places where the risk of damage from burning is such that burning should not take place. This applies to some Sensitive Areas.

Some areas are identified as fire-free in SSSI consents, in Natura Muirburn Plans, or as part of publicly funded schemes and agreements, such as Agri-environment schemes, Rural Development Contracts, or Management Agreements with Scottish Natural Heritage or Historic Environment Scotland. These areas MUSTNOT be burnt.

It is good practice to identify a network of patches that are not burnt or cut. Some of these will be particular features, as identified in the sections above (for example: waterbody buffers, steep slopes, peat hags, historical features) but there should also be fire-free areas in all parts of the landscape.